Ise Forest Reserve is located in Ekiti State, southwestern Nigeria, covering 142 km, 5° 20.804'E to 5° 25.331'E longitude and 7°21.069'N to 7° 25.579'N latitude in the tropical hemisphere. The protected area is about 9 km to the southern part of the reserve along the Akure-Benin expressway from the Uso community in Ondo State.Olaniyi, O.E., Kekere, T.C., and Ogunjemite, B.G. (2016). Quantifying the host dependence on Chimpanzees' habitat of Ise Forest Reserve, Southwest Nigeria. Proceedings of Forest and Forest Products Society 5, 305-311. It remains one of the remaining forest fragments in southwest Nigeria, militated with intense human anthropogenic activities such as farming, logging, and hunting. However, they are considered to be integral and desirable components of forest ecosystems.Ogunjemite, B.G. Agbelusi, E.A. and Afolayan, T.A. (2005). Exploitation and regeneration rate in a commercially logged forest reserve, Ise Forest, Ekiti State. Environ. Manag. 2: 70–77.Prakash, Sadguru and Prakash, Sadguru and Verma, Ashok, (2022). Anthropogenic Activities and Biodiversity Threats. International Journal of Biological Innovations, IJBI 4(1): 94-103 (2022), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4048276 It is one of the priority conservation areas for the endangered Nigeria-Cameroun chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes Elliott) in Nigeria with a degrading forest environment.World Database on Protected Areas The estimated terrain elevation above sea level is . This is the chimpanzees' primary and most frequently recorded habitat in southwest Nigeria. It is also a habitat for about 661 species of butterflies and a large community of other animals and plants. It has been in the spotlight for nearly 20 years. One of the protected sites in the tropical hemisphere is the Ise Forest Reserve. Most of the forests in Nigeria, including protected areas, are under severe fragmentation. The result is that smaller fragments have fewer numbers of animals than the single larger fragments.
The forest were heavily used for farming, logging, and hunting.Ogunjemite, B.G., E.A. Agbelusi, T.A. Afolayan & S.A. Onadeko. 2006. Status Survey of Chimpanzee Pan troglodytes in the Forest Zone of South Western Nigeria. Acta Zoologica Sinica 52(6): 1009-1014. With a deteriorating forest ecosystem, it is one of Nigeria's top conservation priority places for the critically endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti).Ikemeh, R. A. (2013). Status Survey to determine the population viability of the Nigerian-Cameroon Chimpanzee in the Nigerian Lowland Rainforests of SW Nigeria: Ise forest reserve and the Idanre forest cluster. A report to the Ondo and Ekiti State Governments, SW/Niger Delta Forest Project, Nigeria. 60pp.Ogunjemite, B.G. 2004. Some Aspects of the Ecology of Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) in Ise Forest Reserve, Ekiti State, Nigeria. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria This animal is available in many forested areas of the Nigeria region, but it has gone into extinction locally in many areas over the last few decades.Ogunjemite, B.G. (2006). Trends in the Chimpanzees of Kukuruku Hills: Indication of Extinction in the Population of Chimpanzees of South-west Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Forestry, 36(2), 116 – 125Greengrass EJ. A survey of chimpanzees in south-west Nigeria. 2006. Available from: http://data.cameroun-foret.com/system/files/18_13_132.pdf. Accessed August 12, 2013. It has been established that once deforestation on a major scale combines with hunting, the effect on wildlife populations could be terminal.Kormos, R., Boesch, C., Bakarr, M.I., & Butynski, T.M. (2003). Status survey and conservation action plan: West African
Chimpanzees. International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN
Climate Ise Forest Reserve boasts a tropical climate classified as Aw by the Köppen-Geiger system. This climate is characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons, with a mean annual temperature of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F). The highest average temperature occurs in February at 27.4 °C (81.3 °F), while the lowest is recorded in August at 23.3 °C (73.9 °F). Temperature fluctuations between months are relatively moderate, creating a climate that is generally warm and suitable for visitation throughout the year.
Precipitation patterns in the forest reserve contribute to the distinct wet and dry seasons. The rainy season spans from April to October, with September being the wettest month, receiving an average of 221 milimetres (8.7 inches) of rainfall. In contrast, December sees minimal precipitation, with only 9 milimetres (0.4 inches). The fluctuation in rainfall is quite notable, with a variance of 212 mm between the driest and wettest months. This variability is important to consider when planning activities or travel in the region.
The Ise Forest Reserve specifically receives of rainfall each year. Throughout the wet season (April to October), the rainfall is consistent and distributed nearly evenly. A very minor perennial river flows close to the reserve's eastern side and the Ogbese River passes through the reserve's western limits near the Ogbese River. The average lowest and maximum temperatures are 19 °C and 33 °C, respectively, with the average yearly temperature falling between 25 °C and 28 °C. 1200 mm or less of precipitation falls per year.
Relative humidity in the forest reserve follows a similar pattern, reaching its peak in September at 88% and dropping to its lowest in January at 49%. This variation in humidity contributes to the overall perception of comfort and plays a role in the local ecosystem's dynamics.
Sunshine hours, an essential aspect of climate, exhibit distinct seasonal variations. January enjoys the highest number of daily sunshine hours, averaging 8.86 hours, contributing to a total of 274.55 sunlight hours for the month. In contrast, July also experiences the least daily sunshine hours at 3.45, accumulating to a total of 106.88 hours. Throughout the year, the forest reserve receives approximately 2131.53 hours of sunshine, with an average monthly duration of around 70.21 hours.
Forest Resources
Ise Forest Reserve is endowed with a variety of animal and plant species. Both the animals and plants of the Ise Forest Reserve are abundant.Ogunjemite, B.G. 2011. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Populations in Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 13(2): 60 – 73. Gmelina arborea, Mansonia altissima, Tectona grandis, Alstonia boonei, Ceiba pentandra, Entandrophragma cylindricum, Terminalia ivorensis, Khaya ivorensis, and Milicia excelsa are a few of the plant species found there. Some of the fauna species include primates like Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona), Nigerian white-throated guenon (Cercopithecuserythogaster pococki), the Nigerian putty-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans nilotus), Red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus), Olive baboons (Papio anubis) and Nigeria-CameroonChimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti). Animals like the Forest Buffalo (Synerus caffernanus), Red River Hog (Potamochoerus porcus), and African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta Africana cyclotis). Some bird species, such as Cane rats, Bush Pigs, Insects, Grass cutter, Grasshopper, Bees, Cricket, Squirrel, African Black Kite, Ground Squirrel, Wart Hog, Bush Baby, Forest Hog, Water Buck, Cattle Egret, Duicker, Quail, Banana Bat, Quele Bird, Rodent, and Cerato gymnaelata's yellow-casqued hornbill Nevertheless, excessive logging and land clearing for unauthorized marijuana cultivation pose a threat to the area. Despite this, it is nevertheless crucial for the preservation of wildlife, particularly for the maintenance of ecological services in this area.
Hunting and Habitat Loss Ekiti native forest is still being lost, broken up, and degraded; it is being used for agriculture, logging, grazing, and fire. Several forest reserves in Nigeria have been turned into farms and industrial oil palm and rubber plantations. Oil palm plantations have taken over substantial portions of the forest that once surrounded important protected areas. There are also numerous new oil palm developments in progress. Urbanization, the expansion of agricultural crop cultivation, residential construction, population growth, nonadic farming, and infrastructure development are all placing strain on Nigeria's forest resources.Olaniyi, Oluwatobi & Oluwaseun, Adegbola & Adefurin, Olusola. (2020). Performance of Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2A in vegetation cover mapping of Ise Forest Reserve, Southwest Nigeria. 16. 55 - 71. The expansion and degradation of both community and national forests serve as indicators of these stresses. New logging concessions are continually being constructed in the forest, and logging companies are able to quickly build and clear seasonal routes to allow the evacuation of timber all year round.Odeyinde, M.A. (1980): Wood decay organisms. Proceedings of the seminar on the Protection and Pretreatment of Nigerian timbers jointly organized by Forestry Research Institute Nigeria and Berger Paints (Nigeria) Limited held at FRIN, Ibadan. Pp. 17-24. The largest threat to forests comes from the long-standing human practice of hunting larger species, such as chimpanzees, for food, bush meat for use in traditional medicines, ornament, or (to a lesser extent) for sport. While the majority of animals are either shot with firearms or caught in snares designed for terrestrial creatures.Imong, I and Warren, Y. 2008. Survey of gorillas and other large mammals in the Okwa-Obonyi transboundary area of Cross River National Park (Nigeria) and the proposed Takamanda National Park (Cameroon). Unpublished report to MINFOF, the NNPS, USFWS, WWF, and WCS. Wildlife Conservation Society, Nigeria and Cameroon.Mboh, H. and Warren, Y. 2007. Large Mammal Survey of the Proposed Takamanda National Park. Report to the Wildlife Conservation Society and KfW. Report 2 in the July 2007 series. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) – Takamanda-Mone Landscape Project, Limbe, Cameroon.Wilkie, D., Shaw, E., Rotberg, F., Morelli, G. and Auzel, P. 2000. Roads, development, and conservation in the Congo Basin. Conservation Biology 14: 1614–1622 Particularly in southwest Nigeria, logging has frequently been followed by the conversion of forest land to cultivation; where this occurs, chimpanzee habitat is permanently lost. Since many of the remaining Ekiti populations are now small and isolated due to a combination of habitat degradation and hunting, they are at an elevated danger of going extinct due to disease and other unforeseen circumstances. The existence of chimpanzees in Ekiti State has only ever been verified in this location. To improve conservation in Ise, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation intends to collaborate with Ekiti State.
Causes of Deforestation In Ise Forest Reserve
Logging or Unauthorized Tree Felling At the Ise Forest Reserve site, the timber sector is highly organized and receives covert assistance at all levels of government. In contrast to 30 years ago, legitimate businesses that followed well-established working schedules are now almost nonexistent on the site. Land clearing for unauthorized marijuana plantations and excessive logging are endangering the reserve's ecology. The creation of a conservation area will increase awareness of the forest and work to protect it from unlawful activity. The protected area will go a long way in bringing back species in the forest from the brink of extinction. It will also help in protecting the chimpanzee population in the forest. Nigeria's Ekiti state government has moved to establish a conservation area within the Ise Forest Reserve, an important step toward protecting the habitat of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) Popoola, P.Mfon, P.I. Oni. (Eds). Sustainable
Forest Management in Nigeria Lessons
and Prospect. Proceedings of the 30th
Annual Conference of the Forestry